This page will show you all of the orientation cases for my third layer method. I have included a notation to denote the finger tricks that I use for each of these moves. Each set of moves inside a pair of parenthesis is a finger trick routine that can be done at an accelerated pace using your fingers. Since there are 40 orientation cases and I only have a few megabytes of space I won't have enough webspace to make videos for all of the cases. I also probably wouldn't have the time right now. So to make up for that here is a page that will at least show a way that these moves can be done with finger tricks. Any further information that may be required for each move I have noted next to the move. All of the pictures of the cube positions are from Jessica Fridrich's page, though I have edited some of them. Keep in mind that these finger tricks are specifically tailored by me for my hands, so they may not fit your hands very well. Use this page more as a learning tool to figure out your own finger trick routines than to directly copy it.

I have included all reflections and rotations of cases that I actively use. If you see a picture of a case below, then I solve the case as described when I see it in my speed solving. I have done my best to write the finger trick notation as explicitly as I can, to show exactly how I solve each case.

The TricksFor each case I have included the algorithm written both in standard notation as well as in finger trick notation. I personally find it very difficult to learn a finger trick to a new algorithm without having the standard notation to the case as well, thus I have included the standard notation for all cases here.

NotationBelow is an explanation of all the notation I will be using on this page.

Standard Notation: Note, do each of these turns as if you are looking directly at the face you are turning.

Clockwise Turns

Counter-clockwise Turns

Double Turns

R

=

Right face clockwise

L

=

Left face clockwise

F

=

Front face clockwise

B

=

Back face clockwise

U

=

Up (top) face clockwise

D

=

Down (bottom) face clockwise

R'

=

Right face counter-clockwise

L'

=

Left face counter-clockwise

F'

=

Front face counter-clockwise

B'

=

Back face counter-clockwise

U'

=

Up (top) face counter-clockwise

D'

=

Down (bottom) face counter-clockwise

R2

=

Right face twice

L2

=

Left face twice

F2

=

Front face twice

B2

=

Back face twice

U2

=

Up (top) face twice

D2

=

Down (bottom) face twice

Notation AdditionsIn addition to the standard notation I have also included the following: M, E, S, x, y, z, r, l, f, b, u, d in my finger trick notation for the cases below. Here is a key to explain these additions to the usual notation,

x

=

rotate the entire cube as if you were doing the move R

y

=

rotate the entire cube as if you were doing the move U

z

=

rotate the entire cube as if you were doing the move F

M

=

R L' x'

E

=

D' U y'

S

=

F' B z

When doing any of the M, E, or S moves don't do them as two outer layer moves. You need to actually execute them by moving the center row that is affected, NOT the individual face moves listed above. Hold the faces on either side of the center to be turned and turn the center with your fingers. See our main page for a visual explanation of these moves.

r

=

R M'

l

=

L M

f

=

F S

b

=

B S'

u

=

U E'

d

=

D E

The easiest way to remember a lower case move is that it means to turn the face written, as well as the middle layer behind it. These are called double layer moves.

The CasesFor all of these moves the orientation picture is what you should have on the U face unless otherwise noted. Indexed by each numbered case is an a) and b) algorithm. The a) algorithm is the algorithm written in standard notation and the b) algorithm includes my own personal finger tricks and cube rotations for the a) algorithm.

There are 40 distinct orientation cases, however for most cases I have included various rotations and reflections. If your goal right now is only to learn the Fridrich 2 look last layer method, it will suffice to learn only one lettered case for each number case, as well as any necessary reflections. For example case #38 has 4 subcases and each subcase has a reflection. If your goal is only to learn the Fridrich 2 look last layer you only need to learn one subcase and it's reflection to learn how to always solve case #38. If all the subcases have a reflection, then you must learn the reflection of the subcase you choose to learn in order to always be able to solve that case in the Fridrich method. Learning just one algorithm, and any required reflections, for each numbered case below I believe you should be able to get to a sub-20 average with enough practice. If you wish to improve beyond just sub-20, I recommend learning all the cases below. As I said above, I actively use all the algorithms listed below and I currently average between 17 and 19 seconds very consistently.

The (L' U' r U') trigger is ridiculously fast, but it takessome getting used to. Do both U' turns with your lefthand, the first one with your index finger and thesecond with your middle finger. Click here for adescription of how to use your index and middle fingerlike this.

10A)a) L U F U' F' U F U' F' L'b) (L d) (R U') (R' U) (R U' R') y L'

10B)a) R' U' F' U F U' F' U F Rb) (R' d') (L' U) (L U') (L' U L) y' R

This alg goes particularly fast. I highly recommendlearning both 10A and 10B.

11A)a) R' U' F' U F' L F L' F Rb) R' d' L' d F' x (L U L' U l)

I actually do the trigger like that, but the simplest way towrite it is (L F L') (F R).

11B)a) L U F U' F R' F' R F' L'b) L d R d' F x (R' U' R U' r')

I actually do the trigger like that, but the simplest way towrite it is (R' F' R) (F' L').

Ok so this move is weird. I don't hardly use finger tricksbut I can consistently perform this trick in under 3 seconds.For the (U2 y) and (U2 y') you have to blend the U turnand cube rotation together by turning d and U at the sametime. You have to hold the cube at a slight tilt towards youmost of the time.

Ok so this move is weird. I don't hardly use finger tricksbut I can consistently perform this trick in under 3 seconds.For the (U2 y') and (U2 y) you have to blend the U turnand cube rotation together by turning d and U at the sametime. You have to hold the cube at a slight tilt towards youmost of the time.

That first trigger/combo is a little weird, but it goes fast.I grip the cube on the BL 2x2x3 block until the y cuberotation. I have no idea why I grip differently than thereflection, it just feels natural to me I guess.

That first trigger/combo is a little weird, but it goes fast.I grip the cube on the DR 2x2x3 block until the y cuberotation. I have no idea why I grip differently than thereflection, it just feels natural to me I guess.

20A)a) L F L' R U R' U' L F' L'b) L F L' (R U R') (U') (L F' L')

If you do the (U') with your left index finger, thetransitions between the triggers are so slight they canall be done in one motion.

Do the (U) with your right index finger and it will blendwell with the (R' U' R) before it.

21A)a) R L2 D' B' D B L B' L R'b) l L2 y (R' U' R U) y' (L U' r) R'

Do the last U in (R' U' R U) by literally hitting the B facesticker of UBR with your right index finger. (L U' r) is theexact same thing as doing (L U' L) x, only you do thecube rotation at the same time as the last L move.

Do the last U' in (L U L' U') by literally hitting the B facesticker of UBL with your left index finger. (R' U l') is theexact same thing as doing (R' U R') x, only you do thecube rotation at the same time as the last R' move.

For the (L F' L' U' L U) keep your right hand grip constantbut loosen the pressure on F with your thumb for the F'turn. Also do the final U with your right index finger.

29B-reflected)a) R' F R U R' U' F' U Rb) (R' F R U R' U') (F' U) R

For the (R' F R U R' U') keep your left hand grip constantbut loosen the pressure on F with your thumb for the Fturn. Also do the final U' with your left index finger. Idon't trigger the (F U') in the reflection.

Do each (U) with your right index finger. Dothe U' in (U' L) with your left index finger.

34A)a) R' U L U' R U' L' U' L U' L'b) R' U L U' R U' (L' U' L U') L'

Though there aren't many actual finger tricks in thisalg, it can often be performed in less than 2 seconds.Do the first part of the alg like this, R(r) U(l) L(l) U'(l)R(r) U'(l) where the move in parenthesis after eachturn means to turn that face with either the r=rightor l=left hand.

34B)a) a) L U' R' U L' U R U R' U Rb) L U' R' U L' U (R U R' U) R

Though there aren't many actual finger tricks in thisalg, it can often be performed in less than 2 seconds.Do the first part of the alg like this, L'(l) U'(r) R'(r) U(r)L'(l) U(r) where the move in parenthesis after eachturn means to turn that face with either the r=rightor l=left hand.

35)a) R2 D' L F2 L' D R U2 Rb) (R2 D') (L F2 L') (D) (R U2 R)

For the (R2 D') grip the cube so that R and D can bothturn easily. Your right hand index finger should be onthe F sticker of FUR, middle finger on the U sticker ofUR, ring finger on U sticker of BUR, thumb covering theD stickers of both DB and DBR. Turn R2 clockwise,then trigger D with your index finger. For the final R in(R U2 R) use your left hand ring finger.

36A)a) R' F' L F R F' L' Fb) l' U' (L U) l y' (l' U' l)

Do the first U' with your left hand. Also try to the thel y' in the same hand motion, i.e. turn the l layer while atthe same time rotating the cube. Do the (l' U' l) exactlyas if you were doing (R' U' R) but turn the l double layerinstead of the R face.

36B)a) L F R' F' L' F R F'b) r U (R' U') r' y (r U r')

Do the first U with your right hand. Also try to the ther' y in the same hand motion, i.e. turn the r layer while atthe same time rotating the cube. Do the (r U r') exactlyas if you were doing (L U L') but turn the r double layerinstead of the L face.

37A)a) L' B L F' L' B' L Fb) x' (L' U L) D' (L' U' L) D x

Do both D face turns with your right hand.

37B)a) R B' R' F R B R' F'b) x' (R U' R') D (R U R') D' x

Do both D face turns with your left hand.

38A)a) L U2 L' U' L U' L'b) L U2 (L' U' L U' L')

Do the trigger like this (L' U' L) (U') (L') where your ringfinger pulls the (U'). For the (L') literally hit the U facesticker of the BLU corner with your index finger to turnthe face.

38A-reflected)a) R' U2 R U R' U Rb) R' U2 (R U R' U R)

Do the trigger like this (R U R') (U) (R) where your ringfinger pulls the (U). For the (R) literally hit the U facesticker of the BRU corner with your index finger to turnthe face.

38B)a) R' U' R U' R' U2 Rb) (R' U' R U') (R' U2 R)

Do the first trigger like (R' U' R) (U) triggering the (U) withyour left index finger. Do the (R' U2 R) as (R' U2) (R)triggering the (R) with your left ring finger.

38B-reflected)a) L U L' U L U2 L'b) (L U L' U) (L U2 L')

Do the first trigger like (L U L') (U') triggering the (U') withyour right index finger. Do the (L U2 L') as (L U2) (L')triggering the (L') with your right ring finger.

38C)a) R U2 R' U' R U' R'b) (R U2) (R' U' R U' R')

Do the last trigger like (R' U' R) (U') R' triggering the (U')with your left index finger followed immediately byturning R' with your right hand. This angle is one of myfastest OLL algs overall.

38C-reflected)a) L' U2 L U L' U Lb) (L' U2) (L U L' U L)

Do the last trigger like (L U L') (U) L triggering the (U)with your left index finger followed immediately byturning L with your left hand. This angle is one of myfastest OLL algs overall.

38D)a) L' U' L U' L' U2 Lb) (L' U' L U' L' U2 L)

No that is not a joke, I really do this entire alg as onefinger trick. This is one of my fastest OLL algs. Dothe trigger like (L' U' L) (U') (L' U2) (L). Trigger the (U')with your left ring finger, and as you finish grab theFL edge column of the cube (thumb on the D stickerof DFL, middle finger on the U sticker of FUL)and go immediately into the (L' U2). After the U2 inthat trigger hit the U sticker of the FUL corner withyour left hand thumb while also using your left indexfinger to turn the last L.

38D-reflected)a) R U R' U R U2 R'b) (R U R' U R U2 R')

No that is not a joke, I really do this entire alg as onefinger trick. This is one of my fastest OLL algs. Dothe trigger like (R U R') (U) (R U2) (R'). Trigger the (U)with your right ring finger, and as you finish grab theFR edge column of the cube (thumb on the D stickerof DFR, middle finger on the U sticker of FUR)and go immediately into the (R U2). After the U2 inthat trigger hit the U sticker of the FUR corner withyour right hand thumb while also using your right indexfinger to turn the last R'.

39A)a) L F' L F2 R' F R F2 L2b) (r U' L) U2 (R' U R) U2 (L' r')

Do the (r U' L) exactly as you would do (L U' L), onlyturn the r double layer for the first L. For the final (L' r')turn both the L and r layers at once to solve the cubeand end up with your last layer color on top.

39B)a) R' F R' F2 L F' L' F2 R2b) (l' U R') U2 (L U' L') U2 (R l)

Do the (l' U R') exactly as you would do (R' U R'), onlyturn the l double layer for the first R'. For the final (R l)turn both the R and l layers at once to solve the cubeand end up with your last layer color on top.

40)a) R U R' U' R' L F R F' L'b) (R U R' U') M' (U R) U' r'

This alg is one of my fastest OLL algs. Do the U' in(R U R' U') with your left index finger, and the M' withyour left ring finger. Do the U in (U R) with your rightindex finger, and the following U' with your left indexfinger.